15+ Best Jobs For High School Students (Part-Time, Weekends, Summer)

Are you wondering to yourself, what jobs can high school students get?

Whether you’re looking for work to save money for college or just to have some extra cash in your wallet, there are plenty of options available to you.

In this post, we give you the best high school student jobs around, including part-time, full-time, freelance, and one-off opportunities. Some are super easy, others are very well-paid, but all of them make ideal jobs that don’t require a high school diploma.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

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Here is our list of the best jobs for high school students:

1. Retail Associate

A retail associate works at a local shop and helps customers with questions, carrying assistance, advice, and product location, among other duties. For high school students, it’s one of the favorite jobs, as you can choose a brand you’re fond of, an industry (e.g., clothing, home goods) you’re comfortable with, and enjoy special perks and privileges, such as store discounts, career advancement, and just the ability to socialize with people as you work!

2. Cashier

Similarly, being a cashier is another top high school job option. If you work as a Target cashier, for instance, it’ll often be busy work with a shift that flies right by. If, however, you prefer some smaller, boutique shop, your cashier duties may also be combined with retail associate duties. On top of retail store cashiers, you could be a cashier or checkout clerk at gas stations, fast food restaurants, pharmacy, or ice cream shops, among others.

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3. Fast Food Employee

One of the most popular jobs for high schoolers is to become a fast food employee. Whether it’s KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, or any of the other brands, fast food restaurants are always hiring students like yourself.

As a fast food worker, you’ll likely have a variety of duties, from taking orders to preparing food to wiping down tables. It’s solid experience to include on your resume for future jobs, plus there’s almost always after-school and weekend availability for high school students.

4. Yard Worker

Yard work and lawn maintenance are good jobs that don’t require a high school diploma. And, it changes depending on the season, ensuring there’ll always be something for you to do. For example, you might mow the lawn in the spring, spruce up the garden in the summer, rake leaves in the autumn, and shovel snow in the winter. It’s good physical labor if you want to stay in shape, perfect to complement the life of a hard-studying, desk-bound high school student!

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5. Babysitter

Babysitting seems like a job tailor-made for high schoolers. It’s ideal for students, as parents often need babysitters for after-school and weekend hours. While you may have to clean the occasional mess and prepare food for your charge, there is also ample time in between tasks to scroll through your Instagram feed or catch up on some homework!

6. Barista

Barista jobs are quite popular for high school attendees, because it’s a solid position that isn’t quite as labor-intensive as the average fast food job description. You’ll take drink orders, suggest sides and desserts to complement their beverages, prepare coffee and tea drinks, and clean the restaurant when needed, among other tasks. And, you may even go home at the end of your shift with a few bucks in tips!

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7. Dog Walker

If you have a love for our canine companions and want an autonomous job with some physical activity, there’s no better work for you than a dog walking job. Pet owners who tend to work late into the evenings will want someone who can let Fido out earlier, so it’s perfect for the 3 pm quitting time of a high school student like yourself.

8. Farmhand / Farm Worker

Rural areas may lack some of the other high school job opportunities available on our list, but they tend to have one employment option not applicable for citydwellers—farm jobs. Farms usually already have full-time employees, but they often need part-time workers to accomplish some tasks, especially during the high season (ideal for your summer break!). Tasks may include picking strawberries, driving tractors, sorting goods, planting seeds, composting, or general labor.

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9. Front Desk Receptionist

If the sweaty, backbreaking work of a farm hand is the opposite of the high school career you’re aiming for, how about becoming a front desk receptionist? Front desk receptionists work in a variety of settings, but they’re almost always seated and air conditioned! Whether it’s at a gym, an office building, a hotel, or some other establishment, landing a gig as a front desk receptionist will certainly make you the envy of your graduating class!

10. Lifeguard

Lifeguards go hand-in-hand with summer vacation, in many cases, making it almost a custom-made job for high school students. You could choose an indoor environment, like the community pool or YMCA center, or get your tan on at the beach. Also, if you’re skilled enough to be a lifeguard, you could consider becoming a swim instructor, as well, which is another top summer job for many students.

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11. Busser 

Busboy was my first real job in high school, which I began when I was 15 during the summer vacation before my junior year. Coming from a weekly allowance situation, my minimum wage plus tips had me feeling I was making some serious bank. If you’re looking for a great high school job or just want to get your foot in the door of the restaurant industry, being a busser is where it’s at!

12. After-School Tutor

As a high school student, you know what it’s like for middle school and elementary school students. Why not use your knowledge to help out a younger student? Being a high school student means they’ll likely look up to you in ways a regular teacher will envy, and you’ll go home each night with a proper sense of accomplishment.

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13. Camp Counselor

One of the quintessential summer jobs for high school students is the camp counselor position. If you’re not going to camp yourself for the summer, consider going as staff. You’ll still get the summer camp experience, for the most part, as you’ll lead activities, play games, and swat away just as many mosquitoes. But, you’ll also get paid doing it!

14. Prep Cook

While many back-of-house jobs will require the full-time, late-night availability that only a high school graduate can offer, prep cooks are often different. Since your job here is to prepare the desserts, sides, salads, and other items for the upcoming night’s dinner rush, you’ll often be able to leave by 8 or 9 pm, allowing you to come home with enough time for a good night’s sleep so you can succeed in class the next day.

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15. Restaurant Server

If you’re looking for high-paying jobs for high school students, it’s hard to beat being a restaurant server. When I mentioned I was a busboy earlier, I made tips, sure, but nothing compared to what the waiters and waitresses made; in fact, I received about 10% of their tips, and there were usually 2–3 of them on duty at one time, and I already felt wealthy. I can’t imagine how I’d have felt had I been a server! 

If you have an easy way with people, a positive attitude, a strong memory, and a good sense of balance, waiting tables is a great high school job. Oh, and you possibly get a free meal during your shift, as well! Just keep in mind that you likely need to be 18+ to serve alcoholic beverages, depending on where you’re located.

16. Deliveryperson

Delivery work makes for some of the best jobs for high school students, offering a great deal of flexibility, plenty of demand for job security, and an element of both social and physical activity. While you may need your own wheels for some delivery jobs, such as a pizza delivery employee for a small restaurant, some places provide them for you. You could also be on foot or use a bicycle for more urban settings.

And, these days, it may be common to think about food service when you hear the word “delivery,” but there are of course many other delivery options available, including newspaper delivery, flower delivery, mail delivery, courier services, and more.

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17. House Sitter / Pet Sitter

Want an easy job for high school students during summer vacation or on weekends? Become a house sitter, plant sitter, or pet sitter! While you mind a family’s home, plants, or pets, you have plenty of free time for yourself to do homework, chat with friends, or simply binge Netflix. On top of that, the person you work for may just become an excellent job reference for you later when you enter the workforce later on!

Well, that’s our post on the best types of jobs for students in high school, and we hope it helps you choose something fun and fulfilling! Got any questions, feedback, or other high school jobs to add to our list above? Let us know below in the comments, and thanks for reading!

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